Laser brazing method and production method for lap joint member

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method for laser brazing an Al alloy to a steel sheet so as to produce a lap joint member that excels in bonding strength with respect to the Al alloy. The laser brazing method includes a brazing step of forming a brazed part ( 9 ) for bonding an Al alloy ( 3 ) to a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet ( 1 ) in which a coating layer ( 2 ) contains 1.0 to 22.0% by mass of Al and a coating weight per surface is 15 to 250 g/m 2 .

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to (i) a method for laser brazing Al or an Al alloy to a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet, and (ii) a method for producing a lap joint member with the laser brazing method.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to reduce a weight of an automobile body, an amount of used Al and Al alloy (hereinafter, Al and an Al alloy are collectively referred to as “Al alloy”) is increasing. However, in a case where an Al alloy is bonded to a steel sheet with a conventional melt welding process such as an arc welding process, there is a problem that a fragile Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase grows thicker in an interface between the steel sheet and a weld bead, and therefore bonding strength decreases.

As a method for inhibiting growth of the Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase, for example, Patent Literatures 1 through 4 disclose steel sheets for brazing in which concentrations of C, Si, and Mn in steel of an alloyed hot dip Zn coated steel sheet, a hot dip Zn coated steel sheet, and a Zn electroplated steel sheet are specified. The steel sheet for brazing diffuses, from the steel, C, Si, and Mn into the Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase in brazing, and thus inhibits growth of the fragile Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase, and heightens the bonding strength.

Si and Mn are useful in heightening strength of steel sheets, and are used in high-tensile steel sheets. However, in a hot dip Zn coated steel sheet, Si and Mn are incrassated into oxides on a steel sheet surface in reduction heating before plating. This inhibits wettability between a steel sheet and a plating bath, and causes a plating defect. In an alloyed hot dip Zn coated steel sheet, Si and Mn inhibit diffusion that occurs between a steel sheet and a coating layer in an alloying process after plating, and thus causes a delay in alloying reaction.

In brazing also, Si and Mn in steel are incrassated on the steel sheet surface in brazing, and inhibit wettability between a brazing filler metal and an Al alloy. As a result, repelling between the brazing filler metal and the Al alloy, pits, and blowholes are generated, and this causes deterioration in bead appearance, detachment of bead, and decrease in bonding strength. Therefore, amounts of Si and Mn to be added to steel are limited. Moreover, strength of the steel sheet increases due to the addition of Si and Mn in steel as above, and therefore a type of steel to which such steel is applicable is limited to high-tensile steel, and such steel cannot be used in a general steel sheet.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[Patent Literature 1]

Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No. 2006-283110 (Publication date: Oct. 19, 2006)

[Patent Literature 2]

Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No. 2006-283111 (Publication date: Oct. 19, 2006)

[Patent Literature 3]

Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No. 2007-247024 (Publication date: Sep. 27, 2007)

[Patent Literature 4]

Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No. 2007-277717 (Publication date: Oct. 25, 2007)

[Patent Literature 5]

Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No. 2008-68290 (Publication date: Mar. 27, 2008)

[Patent Literature 6]

Japanese Patent Application Publication Tokukai No. 2011-218424 (Publication date: Nov. 4, 2011)

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique to produce a lap joint member that excels in bead appearance and in bonding strength by using, in laser brazing an Al alloy to a steel sheet, a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet in which Al is added to a coating layer.

Solution to Problem

As a result of diligent study by the inventors of the present invention, the inventors have newly found that a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet in which a coating layer contains Al excels in affinity with a brazing filler metal and an Al alloy and, in a case where the Al alloy is brazed, it is possible to achieve good bead appearance and high bonding strength. Based on this novel finding, the inventors have accomplished the present invention.

That is, a laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is a method for laser brazing a bonding target sheet that is stacked on a sheet surface of a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet, a coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet containing 1.0% by mass to 22.0% by mass of Al, and the bonding target sheet being an Al sheet or an Al alloy sheet, the method including: a brazing step of forming a brazed part on the sheet surface for joining the bonding target sheet and the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet together.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide the laser brazing method for producing a lap joint member which is provided between the Al alloy and the steel sheet and excels in bead appearance and in bonding strength.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section of a lap joint member in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a position at which a brazing filler metal abuts on an Al alloy in a laser brazing method in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the abutting position is at an upper limit of a range defined in the present invention.

FIG. 4(a) is a plan view illustrating a position at which the brazing filler metal abuts on the Al alloy in the laser brazing method in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 4(a).

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a laser brazing method in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description will discuss embodiments of the present invention. Note that the following descriptions are aimed merely at better understanding of the gist of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present application, “A to B” means A or more (higher) and B or less (lower).

Embodiment 1

Before now, various measures have been proposed for inhibiting growth of an Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase in brazing. However, there are cases where the growth inhibiting effect is insufficient, and a type of steel of a coated steel sheet to which such a measure is applicable is limited. Under the circumstances, the inventors of the present invention carried out the diligent study and, as a result, the following new conception has been obtained. That is, a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet in which a Zn-based coating layer contains Al excels in affinity with a brazing filler metal and an Al alloy. This broadens a bead width W (later described), and it is therefore possible to increase a shear plane area of a bead. From this, the inventors of the present invention have found that it is possible to prevent a decrease in bonding strength (shear strength) of the brazed part even in a case where the Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase has grown thicker. Based on this new finding, the inventors of the present invention have accomplished the present invention. The following description will discuss details of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Hot Dip Zn-Based Alloy Coated Steel Sheet]

According to a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet for brazing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a coating layer contains Zn as a main component, and contains Al in an amount of not less than 1.0% by mass and not more than 22.0% by mass. In general, in brazing of an Al alloy, a brazing filler metal is used which contains Al or Zn as a main component. According to the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet for brazing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer contains (i) an Al alloy and (ii) Zn and Al which are main components of a brazing filler metal. Therefore, the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet in accordance with Embodiment 1 excels in affinity with the Al alloy and the brazing filler metal. Further, wettability is improved and it is therefore possible to achieve good bead appearance. Furthermore, the bead width is broadened, and this enhances the bonding strength.

This effect is obtained when the Al concentration is not less than 1% by mass, and therefore the Al concentration is limited to not less than 1% by mass.

In contrast, in a case where the Al concentration exceeds 22% by mass, a melting point of the Zn-based coating layer becomes higher and the affinity is deteriorated. In this case, the wettability is deteriorated, and a humping bead with irregular bead widths occurs, that is, the bead appearance is deteriorated. Moreover, the bead width is narrowed, and the bonding strength is deteriorated.

In a case where 0.05% by mass to 10.0% by mass of Mg is added to the Zn-based coating layer, a melting point of the Zn-based coating layer becomes lower. Further, the affinity with the Al alloy and the brazing filler metal improves, and this leads to excellent bonding strength. Moreover, the addition of Mg also leads to excellent corrosion resistance. Therefore, it is preferable to add 0.05% by mass to 10.0% by mass of Mg to the Zn-based coating layer. In a case where Mg is added, the coating layer preferably contains Ti: 0.002% by mass to 0.1% by mass or B: 0.001% by mass to 0.05% by mass in order to inhibit generation and growth of a Zn11Mg2 system phase which causes deterioration in coating layer appearance and in corrosion resistance.

Further, the Zn-based coating layer can contain Si in an amount of not more than 2.0% by mass in order to inhibit growth of the Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase in brazing and accordingly to heighten the bonding strength. Moreover, the Zn-based coating layer can contain Fe in an amount of not more than 2.5% by mass.

The above feature can be expressed as follows. That is, the coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet for brazing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention preferably contains Zn as a main component, contains 1% by mass to 22% by mass of Al and 0.05% by mass to 10.0% by mass of Mg, and further satisfies one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of Ti: 0.002% by mass to 0.1% by mass, B: 0.001% by mass to 0.05% by mass, Si: 0% by mass to 2.0% by mass, and Fe: 0% by mass to 2.5% by mass.

[Coating Weight]

According to the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet for brazing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, it is more effective to set a coating weight per surface to 15 g/m² or more in order to achieve good wettability with respect to the Al alloy and the brazing filler metal. The coating weight per surface can also be expressed as a coating weight on the sheet surface of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet on which sheet surface the brazed part is formed. A low coating weight is disadvantageous for maintaining corrosion resistance and sacrificial anti-corrosive effect of a coated surface over a long period of time. Therefore, the coating weight is set to 15 g/m² or more.

In contrast, in a case where the coating weight per surface exceeds 250 g/m², a generation amount of Zn vapor in brazing becomes greater, and this leads to generation of a humping bead, pits, and blowholes, and accordingly leads to deterioration in bead appearance and in bonding strength. Therefore, the coating weight is preferably 250 g/m² or less.

[Al Alloy]

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an Al alloy is not limited in particular. It is possible to use a 5000-series Al alloy or a 6000-series Al alloy which is mainly used in an automobile body, and the other Al alloy can also be used. For example, it is possible to use a 1000-series Al alloy, a 3000-series Al alloy, or a 7000-series Al alloy. Note that, as described earlier, the term “Al alloy” used in this specification encompasses pure Al (that may contain impurities).

In this specification, unless otherwise noted, the Al alloy has a shape of sheet, and accordingly the Al alloy means an Al alloy sheet. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the Al sheet or the Al alloy sheet is to be subjected to laser brazing, and therefore can be expressed as a bonding target sheet.

[Bead Width]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a cross section of a lap joint member in which the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet for brazing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is brazed to an Al alloy. A lap joint is a joint that is often used in brazing an Al alloy to a steel sheet for an automobile body.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the lap joint member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an Al alloy 3 is stacked on a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1, and a bead 4 is formed by brazing. The bead 4 can be expressed as a brazed part (brazed joint part) that is formed by brazing.

A sheet thickness of the Al alloy 3 that is used in the automobile body is selected as appropriate in accordance with demanded strength. Therefore, in the present invention, a bead width W is also controlled within a range of Formula (2) below in accordance with the sheet thickness of the Al alloy 3. That is, in a case where the sheet thickness is increased so as to enhance strength of the Al alloy 3, the bead width W is also broadened to enhance bonding strength.

t≤W≤4t   (2)

where

W: bead width (mm) of brazed part

t: sheet thickness (mm) of Al alloy.

For example, in a case where the sheet thickness of the Al alloy 3 is 2 mm, bonding strength adequate for the automobile body is 4 kN or more. In a case where the bead width W satisfies Formula (2) above, it is possible to achieve excellent bonding strength even if an Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase 5 grows. However, in a case where the bead width W is smaller than a sheet thickness t of the Al alloy 3, the bonding strength decreases. In contrast, in a case where the bead width W exceeds 4 t, it is necessary to increase a heat input for broadening the bead width, and consequently an evaporation region of a Zn-based coating layer 2 around a bead part becomes larger, and therefore corrosion resistance decreases.

[Brazing Method]

The lap joint member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is brazed with use of a laser brazing method. The following description will discuss the laser brazing method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating the laser brazing method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the Al alloy 3 is stacked on the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1, and a brazing filler metal 7 abuts on an end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3. For example, the brazing filler metal 7 can be in a form of long rod (i.e., cylinder) or can be a wire. Alternatively, for example, the brazing filler metal 7 can have a plate-like shape. According to an aspect of the present invention, the brazing filler metal 7 and the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 are arranged such that a distance d (mm) between the brazing filler metal 7 and a sheet surface of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 satisfies Formula (1) below.

0.2≤d≤t   (1)

where

t: sheet thickness (mm) of Al alloy.

More specifically, the distance d is a shortest distance between the sheet surface of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 and a surface (i.e., an outer edge of a cross section of the brazing filler metal 7 that is taken along a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the brazing filler metal 7) of the brazing filler metal 7. Note that the sheet surface of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 can be expressed as a surface of the Zn-based coating layer 2. The brazing filler metal 7 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the brazing filler metal 7 goes along the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3 and Formula (1) above is satisfied.

A method for arranging the brazing filler metal 7 so as to satisfy Formula (1) above is not particularly limited. For example, it is possible to use a holding member (not illustrated) for holding the brazing filler metal 7. Note, however, that it is preferable to avoid using a fixing agent (e.g., adhesive agent) or the like for temporarily fixing an abutting part between the brazing filler metal 7 and the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3. This is for preventing deterioration in characteristic of a bead that is to be formed by brazing. In other words, the brazing filler metal 7 is preferably held so as to physically abut on the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3 (i.e., such that pressing force is generated in a direction from the brazing filler metal 7 to the end surface 6).

In a case where the brazing filler metal 7 is apart from the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3, only the brazing filler metal 7 is melted, and the Al alloy 3 is not melted. Therefore, the brazing filler metal 7 is caused to abut on the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3.

Zn which is a main component of the Zn-based coating layer 2 of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 has a boiling point of 907° C., which is near to a melting point 660° C. of Al. Therefore, in melting the Al alloy 3 and the Al-based brazing filler metal 7, Zn may be evaporated because a temperature of the Zn-based coating layer 2 becomes higher than the boiling point of Zn. In a case where a large amount of the Zn vapor is generated and ejected from a molten bead, a humping bead or pits may be caused, and this leads to deterioration in bead appearance. Moreover, in a case where the Zn vapor is confined in a bead, the Zn vapor becomes blowholes and a bonding area is reduced, and this leads to a decrease in bonding strength.

In view of this, according to an aspect of the present invention, the distance d (mm) between the brazing filler metal 7 and the sheet surface of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 is set to 0.2 mm or more as indicated in Formula (1) above for discharging the Zn vapor. An upper limit of the distance d corresponds to a sheet thickness t of the Al alloy 3, that is, the upper limit is represented by d=t. In the present invention, “d=t” means a state in which the brazing filler metal 7 abuts on a corner portion of the Al alloy 3 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In a case where the distance d is equal to or greater than the sheet thickness of the Al alloy 3, the brazing filler metal 7 is to apart from the Al alloy 3 and therefore, as above described, only the brazing filler metal 7 is melted and the Al alloy 3 is not melted.

As the brazing method, a laser brazing method is suitably employed. A laser beam has high energy density. Therefore, in a case where the laser beam is used in brazing, a brazing rate becomes higher, and further an evaporation region of the Zn-based coating layer in the vicinity of a bead is narrowed, and this makes it possible to maintain high corrosion resistance. Further, laser brazing is carried out by selective heating, and this allows reduction in heat distortion.

The following description will discuss more details of the laser brazing method in accordance with Embodiment 1, with reference to FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b).

FIG. 4(a) is a plan view illustrating a position at which the brazing filler metal abuts on the Al alloy in Embodiment 1. FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 4(a).

As illustrated in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), the Al alloy 3 is stacked on the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1, and the brazing filler metal 7 is arranged to abut on the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3. In that state, a laser beam 8 is emitted toward the brazing filler metal 7. A bead 4 (see FIG. 1) for joining the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 and the Al alloy 3 together is formed by moving an irradiation position with the laser beam 8 in a direction in which the brazing filler metal 7 extends.

[Brazing Filler Metal]

In Embodiment 1, a material of the brazing filler metal 7 is not particularly limited. It is possible to employ a typical Al-based brazing filler metal or Zn-based brazing filler metal for Al alloy. Moreover, in order to inhibit growth of the Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase, Si can be added to the brazing filler metal. Alternatively, it is possible to use a flux brazing filler metal which contains flux for improving wettability.

[Target Location of Laser]

As a target location of laser, the laser beam 8 emitted is targeted on the brazing filler metal 7. The brazing filler metal 7 abuts on the end surface of the Al alloy while satisfying the relation indicated by Formula (1) above, and the Al alloy 3 is stacked on the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1. From this, in a case where the laser beam is emitted toward the brazing filler metal 7 so as to melt the brazing filler metal 7, not only the brazing filler metal 7 but also the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3 and the coating layer 2 of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 are melted. Thus, the Al alloy 3 is brazed to the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1. Further, the brazing filler metal 7 satisfies the relation of Formula (1), and therefore the Zn vapor is surely discharged. Therefore, a humping bead, pits, and blowholes are less likely to be generated by brazing.

[Beam Diameter]

The laser beam 8 preferably has a beam diameter that is wider than that in typical laser welding. For example, the beam diameter of the laser beam 8 is preferably greater than a diameter of the brazing filler metal 7. That is, the beam diameter of the laser beam 8 is preferably set to fall within a range of D1 or more and 4 t or less, where “D1” is the diameter of the brazing filler metal 7 and “t” is the sheet thickness of the Al alloy 3. In a case where the laser beam 8 is targeted on and emitted to the brazing filler metal 7, the brazing filler metal 7 is entirely heated up. From this, the brazing filler metal 7 is melted, and also the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3 and the coating layer 2 of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 are melted. Thus the Al alloy 3 is brazed to the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1.

Moreover, the laser beam 8 more preferably has a beam diameter with which the brazing filler metal 7 and the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3 are both irradiated with the laser beam 8. That is, the beam diameter of the laser beam 8 is more preferably (i) greater than a length obtained by adding up the diameter of the brazing filler metal 7 and the sheet thickness of the Al alloy 3 (i.e., a width of the end surface 6) and (ii) set to fall within a range of (D1+t) or more and 4 t or less. From this, it is possible to heat up both the brazing filler metal 7 and the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3, and it is also possible to entirely heat up a part in which the brazed part 2 is formed by laser brazing. As a result, Zn vapor is more likely to be discharged from between the brazing filler metal 7 and the sheet surface of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1. Moreover, a thermal gradient in a heat affected zone is more likely to be gentle, and this makes it possible to reduce generation of heat distortion.

Advantageous Effect

As such, according to the laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to produce the lap joint member that excels in bead appearance and in bonding strength.

In general, a steel sheet may be bonded to an Al alloy by spot welding. As compared with such spot welding, the laser brazing method in accordance with Embodiment 1 has the following advantages. That is, unlike the welding in which the steel sheet is melted and bonded, it is sufficient to melt the coating layer 2 and the brazing filler metal 7 in the present laser brazing method, and it is not necessary to melt a base steel sheet of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1. From this, a quantity of heat used for bonding is smaller. Consequently, it is possible to reduce heat distortion that would occur in the lap joint member. Therefore, for example, it is possible to reduce a problem such as warpage that may occur in the spot welding.

Further, by the present laser brazing method, it is possible to successively bond the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet to the Al alloy. Therefore, the lap joint member that has been produced by the present laser brazing method excels in sealing property. For example, in the field of automobiles, a gap is filled with a sealer after spot welding. In a case where the present laser brazing method is employed, it is unnecessary to carry out such a process of using a sealer.

Further, according to the present laser brazing method, it is possible to make the Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase thinner which is formed in the joint part, and it is also possible to improve bonding strength of the lap joint member by the foregoing successive bonding.

Moreover, according to the present laser brazing method, it is possible to reduce generation of blowholes and spatter, as compared with a case where brazing is carried out with use of an arc.

EXAMPLE 1-1

The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples. Note, however, that the present invention is not limited to such Examples.

A hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet having a sheet thickness of 1.2 mm, a width of 200 mm, and a length of 100 mm, and a 6000-series Al alloy member having a sheet thickness of 2.0 mm, a width of 200 mm, and a length of 100 mm were prepared. Then, laser brazing was carried out with respect to the Al alloy member that was stacked on the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet with a positional displacement of 50 mm in a length direction, and thus a lap joint sample was prepared. Table 1 shows laser brazing conditions.

TABLE 1 Laser welding machine Disk laser welding machine Laser output 1 to 4 kW Beam diameter 5 mm Brazing filler metal Al-1.0% by mass of Si, Fluoride-based flux wire, 1.2 mmϕ Distance (d) between brazing filler 0 to 2.5 mm metal and hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet Shielding gas Ar gas, flow rate: 20 L/min Brazing rate 0.5 to 2 m/min

The lap joint sample thus prepared was visually observed, and the presence or absence of humping and pits was checked. After the visual observation, X-ray radiography was carried out to check the presence or absence of blowholes. After the X-ray radiography, a sample for tensile test having a width of 30 mm was taken out from a central part of the lap joint sample, and a tensile test was carried out at a tensile speed of 3 mm/min. In the present invention, bonding strength is defined by a maximum load in the tensile test. Bonding strength adequate for the automobile body is 4 kN or more. A sample for observing a cross section was taken out from a part very near to the part from which the sample for tensile test was taken out, and cross section observation was carried out with use of a microscope to check a bead width W.

The investigation results of the laser brazing method are shown in Table 2. In regard to the bead appearance in Table 2, a successive bead appearance without humping and pits was evaluated as good, and a case in which humping or pits were generated was evaluated as bad.

In Examples in which laser brazing was carried out within the range of the present invention indicated by No. 1 through No. 13 in Table 2, humping and pits were not generated, and good bead appearances were obtained. Moreover, the bonding strength was 4 kN or more, and thus the bonding strength sufficient for an automobile body was obtained.

In Comparative Example No. 14 in which an Al concentration of the coating layer was smaller than the range of the present invention, the bead width W was smaller, i.e., 0.5 mm, and the bonding strength was insufficient, i.e., 1.3 kN.

In Comparative Example No. 15 in which the coating weight exceeded the range of the present invention and in Comparative Example No. 16 in which the distance d between the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet and the brazing filler metal was 0 mm (i.e., a state in which the brazing filler metal is making contact with the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet), humping and pits were generated due to influence of Zn vapor, and therefore the bead appearance was notably deteriorated, and blowholes were generated. In Comparative Examples No. 15 and No. 16, the bead appearance was notably deteriorated, and therefore the tensile test was not carried out.

In Comparative Example No. 17 in which the distance d between the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet and the brazing filler metal exceeded the range of the present invention, only the brazing filler metal was melted, and the Al alloy was not melted. Therefore, the X-ray radiography and the tensile test were not carried out.

In Comparative Examples No. 18 through No. 20, the bead width W was smaller than the range of the present invention, and the bonding strength was insufficient, i.e., 3.4 kN or less.

TABLE 2 Distance d (mm) Coating between brazing weight filler metal and hot Tensile Coating layer composition (% by mass) per surface dip Zn-based alloy Bead Bead width test result No. Al Mg Ti B Si Fe (g/m²) coated steel sheet appearanc Blowhole W (mm) (kN) Class 1 1.1 — — — — — 15 0.3 Good None 3.2 4.6 Example 2 4.0 — — — — — 45 0.5 Good None 5.1 5.3 3 21.7  — — — — 90 0.6 Good None 6.0 5.5 4 1.2  0.07 — — — — 120  1.2 Good None 5.8 5.4 5 2.1 2.0 — — — 150  2.0 Good None 6.7 6.9 6 4.1 1.0 — — — — 180  0.5 Good None 7.8 7.6 7 21.8  9.7 — — — 220  0.2 Good None 2.2 4.0 8 6.1 3.0 — — — — 245  0.4 Good None 4.5 4.4 9 5.9 3.1 0.035 — — — 90 1.6 Good None 6.6 6.2 10 6.0 3.0 0.034 0.02  0.056  0.02 90 2.0 Good None 7.3 7.1 11 11.1  3.2 — — — — 90 1.6 Good None 6.1 5.5 12 11.0  3.0 — — 0.054  0.01 90 1.8 Good None 8.0 7.8 13 21.8  5.9 0.1  0.05  2.0  2.5 90 1.3 Good None 4.3 5.0 14 0.2 — — — — — 15 0.3 Good None 0.5 1.3 Com. 15 1.1 — — — — — 275  0.3 Bad Exist — — Example 16 22.0  — — — — 160  0   Bad Exist — — 17 5.8 3.3 0.002 0.005 — — 90 2.5 Bad — — — 18 6.0 2.8 0.002 0.001 — — 45 1.3 Good None 1.6 3.4 19 5.1 3.0 0.025 0.01  0.025  0.002 90 1.5 Good None 1.2 2.6 20 5.8 3.0 0.1  0.05  1.8  2.5 120  1.2 Good None 1.4 3.1

EXAMPLE 1-2

Laser brazing was carried out with use of a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet and each of Al alloys of 1000-series, 3000-series, 5000-series, 6000-series, and 7000-series. Table 3 shows compositions of those Al alloys.

TABLE 3 Composition (% by mass) Type of Al alloy Si Fe Cu Mn Mg Cr Zn Ti Al 1000-series 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.01 — 0.01 0.01 Bal. 3000-series 0.53 0.21 0.13 0.88 0.054 0.01 0.01 0.01 Bal. 5000-series 0.09 0.10 0.02 0.07 4.63 0.09 0.16 0.02 Bal. 6000-series 0.66 0.33 0.26 0.08 0.96 0.18 0.01 0.01 Bal. 7000-series 0.22 0.13 1.56 0.12 2.66 0.21 5.54 0.02 Bal.

Specifically, a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet having a sheet thickness of 1.2 mm, a width of 200 mm, and a length of 100 mm, and an Al alloy member of each series having a sheet thickness of 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm, a width of 200 mm, and a length of 100 mm were prepared. Then, laser brazing was carried out with respect to the Al alloy member that was stacked on the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet with a positional displacement of 50 mm in a length direction, and thus a lap joint sample was prepared. Laser brazing conditions are similar to those in Table 1 above.

Table 4 shows the results.

TABLE 4 Distance d (mm) between brazing filler Coating metal and weight Sheet hot dip Bead Coating layer per thickness Zn-based width Tensile composition (% by mass) surface Type of (mm) of alloy coated Bead W test result No. Al Mg Ti B Si Fe (g/m²) Al alloy Al alloy steel sheet appearance Blowhole (mm) (kN) Class 21 6.0 3.0 0.034 0.02 0.056 0.02 90 1000- 1.0 0.3 Good None 1.2 2.8 Example 22 series 2.0 1.9 Good None 6.1 6.4 23 3.0 2.9 Good None 11.7 10.1 24 3000- 1.0 0.9 Good None 2.0 3.9 25 series 2.0 1.1 Good None 7.6 7.4 26 3.0 0.2 Good None 10.9 8.6 27 5000- 1.0 0.5 Good None 2.3 4.1 28 series 2.0 0.3 Good None 6.3 5.8 29 3.0 1.6 Good None 9.9 7.8 30 6000- 1.0 0.9 Good None 1.8 3.4 31 series 2.0 2.0 Good None 7.3 7.1 32 3.0 3.0 Good None 11.2 9.0 33 7000- 1.0 0.4 Good None 2.2 4.1 34 series 2.0 0.5 Good None 7.3 7.5 35 3.0 2.1 Good None 9.5 8.2

In Examples in which laser brazing was carried out within the range of the present invention indicated by No. 21 through No. 35 in Table 4, humping and pits were not generated, and good bead appearances were obtained. Moreover, the bonding strength corresponded to the type and the sheet thickness of each of the Al alloys, and thus the bonding strength sufficient for an automobile body was obtained.

Embodiment 2

The following description will discuss another embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, identical reference numerals are given to constituent members having functions identical with those of the constituent members described in the foregoing embodiment, and descriptions of such constituent members are not repeated here.

Conventionally, as a method for bonding an Al alloy to a steel sheet while inhibiting growth of an Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase, a flux wire brazing process is employed in which an Al alloy wire containing flux that contains fluoride, chloride, or the like as a main component is used. The flux containing fluoride, chloride, or the like is used in order to activate the steel sheet surface by removing oxide on the steel sheet surface with an etching effect, and to achieve good adherence by improving wettability between (i) the steel sheet and (ii) a melted Al alloy and a melted Al alloy wire.

For example, Patent Literature 5 discloses a method for brazing an Al alloy to a hot dip Zn coated steel sheet with use of an Al alloy wire that contains Si in an amount of 1% by mass to 13% by mass and also contains flux containing AlF₃. According to the brazing method, good bonding strength is supposed to be obtained by (i) an activation effect by the flux on the steel sheet surface and (ii) an effect of inhibiting growth of an Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase by Si in the Al alloy wire and AlF₃ in the flux.

However, in a case where the flux wire is used, a flux residue remains in a bead part after brazing, and this deteriorates an appearance. Furthermore, the flux residue serves as a corrosion accelerating factor, and therefore corrosion resistance is notably deteriorated. Furthermore, in a case where painting is carried out after brazing, paintability and corrosion resistance after painting are also notably deteriorated. Therefore, in a case where the flux wire is used, not only a cost of wire increases but also a cost of process increases because the flux residue needs to be cleaned off.

A fluxless brazing method in which no flux is used can be, for example, a method disclosed in Patent Literature 6. Patent Literature 6 discloses an arc brazing method in which a location to be brazed is irradiated with a laser beam in advance to evaporate oxide, and sequentially brazing is carried out while using a brazing filler metal as a consumable electrode. According to the method, a laser heating device and an arc-welding device are required, and therefore a cost of equipment is high, and accordingly a cost of brazing increases.

Before now, various methods for brazing an Al alloy to a steel sheet have been proposed. However, such conventional methods have a problem that flux needs to be added to a wire and a flux residue needs to be removed, and also have a problem of increase in cost, particularly increase in cost of equipment due to using of a laser heating device in combination with an arc-welding device.

An object of Embodiment 2 is to provide a lap joint member which excels in bead appearance and in bonding strength at a low cost by carrying out fluxless laser brazing for brazing an Al alloy to a steel sheet with use of a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet in which a coating layer contains Al.

The inventors of the present invention carried out the diligent study and, as a result, the following new conception has been obtained. That is, the inventors have newly found that a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet in which a Zn-based coating layer contains Al excels in wettability between a brazing filler metal and an Al alloy, and therefore it is possible to obtain a lap joint that excels in bonding strength by carrying out laser brazing without using flux. Based on this new finding, the inventors of the present invention have accomplished the present invention. The following description will discuss details of an embodiment of the present invention.

[Hot Dip Zn-Based Alloy Coated Steel Sheet]

According to a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet that is used in a method for producing a lap joint member of Embodiment 2 by carrying out fluxless laser brazing on the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet and an Al alloy member, a coating layer contains Zn as a main component, and contains Al in an amount of not less than 1.0% by mass and not more than 22.0% by mass. The coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet contains Al which is a main component of the Al alloy and of the brazing filler metal, and this allows the coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet to excel in wettability between the Al alloy and the brazing filler metal. It is therefore possible to achieve good bead appearance without using flux, and the bead width is broadened, and this enhances the bonding strength. This effect is obtained when the Al concentration is not less than 1% by mass, and therefore the Al concentration is limited to not less than 1% by mass. In contrast, in a case where the Al concentration exceeds 22% by mass, a melting point of the Zn-based coating layer becomes higher and wettability is deteriorated. Further, a humping bead with irregular bead widths occurs and accordingly the bead appearance is deteriorated. Moreover, the bead width is narrowed, and the bonding strength is deteriorated.

In a case where 0.05% by mass to 10.0% by mass of Mg is added to the hot dip Zn-based alloy coating layer, a melting point of the Zn-based coating layer becomes lower. Further, the wettability between the Al alloy and the brazing filler metal improves without using flux, and this leads to excellent bonding strength. Moreover, the addition of Mg also leads to excellent corrosion resistance. Therefore, it is preferable to add 0.05% by mass to 10.0% by mass of Mg to the hot dip Zn-based alloy coating layer. In a case where Mg is added, the coating layer can contain Ti: 0.002% by mass to 0.1% by mass or B: 0.001% by mass to 0.05% by mass in order to inhibit generation and growth of a Zn11Mg2 system phase which causes deterioration in coating layer appearance and in corrosion resistance.

Further, the Zn-based coating layer can contain Si in an amount of not more than 2.0% by mass in order to inhibit growth of the fragile Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase in brazing and accordingly to heighten the bonding strength. Moreover, the Zn-based coating layer can contain Fe in an amount of not more than 2.5% by mass.

The above feature can be expressed as follows. That is, the coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet that is used in the method for producing a lap joint member by fluxless laser brazing in accordance with an aspect of the present invention contains Zn as a main component and contains Al in an amount of 1% by mass to 22% by mass. Preferably, the coating layer satisfies one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of: Mg: 0.05% by mass to 10.0% by mass, Ti: 0.002% by mass to 0.1% by mass, B: 0.001% by mass to 0.05% by mass, Si: 0% by mass to 2.0% by mass, and Fe: 0% by mass to 2.5% by mass.

[Al Alloy]

The Al alloy that is used in fluxless laser brazing of Embodiment 2 is similar to that used in Embodiment 1, and therefore the description of the Al alloy is omitted here.

[Brazing Method]

The fluxless laser brazing method in Embodiment 2 is similar to that of Embodiment 1 but is different in the following point. That is, in Embodiment 2, a fluxless brazing filler metal is used as a brazing filler metal 7 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). This means that the brazing filler metal used in the fluxless laser brazing in Embodiment 2 contains no flux.

The following description will discuss the fluxless brazing filler metal.

[Brazing Filler Metal]

The brazing filler metal in accordance with Embodiment 2 can be composed of Al. Alternatively, the brazing filler metal can be an alloy having a composition containing one or more selected from Si: 0.2% by mass to 15.0% by mass and Mn: 0.03% by mass to 2.0% by mass, in addition to Al. An effect brought about by adding Si or Mn is to inhibit growth of an Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase in a bead part. Further, the brazing filler metal in accordance with an aspect of the present invention can contain Mg in an amount of 0.3% by mass to 7.0% by mass in order to lower a melting point and viscosity of the brazing filler metal and to improve wettability between (i) the brazing filler metal and (ii) the Al alloy and the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet.

A shape of the brazing filler metal in Embodiment 2 can be a wire or, for example, a plate-like shape. The shape of the brazing filler metal is preferably a shape with which the distance d between the brazing filler metal and the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet can be managed so as to satisfy the relation of Formula (1) below in a state in which the brazing filler metal abuts on the end surface of the Al alloy.

0.2≤d≤t   (1)

where

t: sheet thickness (mm) of Al alloy

[Coating Weight, Bead Width]

A coating weight per surface of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet and a bead width of the lap joint member in accordance with Embodiment 2 are similar to those of Embodiment 1, and therefore the descriptions are omitted here.

Advantageous Effect

According to the fluxless laser brazing method in accordance with Embodiment 2, the following effect is brought about, in addition to an effect similar to that of the laser brazing method described in Embodiment 1.

That is, the coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet contains Al which is a main component of the Al alloy and of the brazing filler metal, and this allows the coating layer to excel in wettability between the Al alloy and the brazing filler metal. It is therefore possible to achieve good bead appearance without using flux, and the bead width can be broadened, and this can enhance the bonding strength.

As such, it is unnecessary to add flux to the brazing filler metal, and it is also unnecessary to carry out a process of removing (cleaning) a flux residue after brazing. Further, as compared with the conventional method in which a laser heating device is used in combination with an arc-welding device, a cost of equipment is lower. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a cost for brazing.

EXAMPLE 2-1

The following shows Examples of Embodiment 2.

A hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet having a sheet thickness of 1.2 mm, a width of 200 mm, and a length of 100 mm, and a 6000-series Al alloy member having a sheet thickness of 2.0 mm, a width of 200 mm, and a length of 100 mm were prepared. Then, fluxless laser brazing was carried out with respect to the Al alloy member that was stacked on the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet with a positional displacement of 50 mm in a length direction, and thus a lap joint sample was prepared. Table 5 shows laser brazing conditions. Table 6 shows details of the brazing filler metal.

TABLE 5 Laser welding machine Disk laser welding machine Laser output 1 to 4 kW Beam diameter 5 mm Diameter of brazing filler metal 1.2 mmϕ Distance (d) between brazing filler 0 to 2.5 mm metal and hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet Shielding gas Ar gas, flow rate: 20 L/min Brazing rate 0.5 to 2 m/min

TABLE 6 Type Composition Pure Al Purity: 99.0% by mass Al—Si Si: 0.2 to 15.0% by mass Al—Mn Mn: 0.03 to 2.0% by mass Al—Mg Mg: 0.3 to 7.0% by mass Al—Si—Mn—Mg Si: 0.2 to 15.0% by mass Mn: 0.03 to 2.0% by mass Mg: 0.3 to 7.0% by mass

The lap joint sample thus prepared was visually observed, and the presence or absence of humping and pits was checked. After the visual observation, X-ray radiography was carried out to check the presence or absence of blowholes. After the X-ray radiography, a sample for tensile test having a width of 30 mm was taken out from a central part of the lap joint sample, and a tensile test was carried out at a tensile speed of 3 mm/min. In the present invention, bonding strength is defined by a maximum load in the tensile test. Bonding strength adequate for the automobile body is 4 kN or more. In the lap joint sample, a sample for observing a cross section was taken out from a part adjacent to the part from which the sample for tensile test was taken out, and cross section observation was carried out with use of a microscope to check a bead width W.

Table 7 shows results of investigating the lap joint sample that was prepared by the fluxless laser brazing. In regard to the bead appearance in Table 7, a successive bead appearance without humping and pits was evaluated as good, and a case in which humping or pits were generated was evaluated as bad.

TABLE 7 Coating weight per Brazing filler metal Coating layer composition (% by mass) surface composition (% by mass) No. Al Mg Ti B Si Fe (g/m²) Si Mn Mg Al 36 1.2 — — — — — 15 — — — Pure Al 37 4.1 — — — — — 45 0.2 — — Bal. 38 21.5 — — — — 60 14.8  — — Bal. 39 1.2  0.08 — — — — 120 —  0.03 — Bal. 40 2.1 1.9 — — — 150 — 2.0 — Bal. 41 4.2 1.0 — — — — 180 — — 0.4 Bal. 42 21.8 9.3 — — — 210 — — 6.9 Bal. 43 6.0 3.0 — — — — 245 2.1 1.0 — Bal. 44 5.9 3.0 0.035 — — — 90 5.8 — 7.0 Bal. 45 6.1 2.9 0.034 0.019 0.056 0.02 90 4.7 0.9 3.9 Bal. 46 11.1 3.4 — — — — 90 0.2  0.03 0.3 Bal. 47 11.0 3.0 — — 0.054 0.01 90 11.0  1.2 3.5 Bal. 48 21.8 5.8 0.09  0.05  1.9  2.5  90 15.0  2.0 7.0 Bal. 49 0.1 — — — — — 15 — — — Pure Al 50 1.3 — — — — — 280 7.6 — — Bal. 51 21.9 — — — — 120 — 1.1 — Bal. 52 6.0 3.3 0.002 0.005 — — 90 — — 7.0 Bal. 53 6.3 3.0 0.002 0.002 — — 60 0.3 0.5 0.4 Bal. 54 6.0 2.8 0.025 0.01  0.025 0.002 90 10.5  1.1 2.6 Bal. 55 5.9 3.0 0.1  0.05  1.8  2.4  120 14.0  1.9 6.8 Bal. Distance d (mm) between brazing filler metal and hot dip Zn-based Bead alloy coated Bead width W Tensile test No. steel sheet appearance Blowhole (mm) result (kN) Class 36 0.2 Good None 2.1 4.0 Example 37 0.4 Good None 2.2 4.4 38 0.6 Good None 3.4 5.5 39 1.1 Good None 4.4 4.5 40 1.9 Good None 4.9 5.9 41 2.0 Good None 4.8 5.7 42 0.2 Good None 4.3 5.4 43 0.5 Good None 4.5 4.4 44 1.5 Good None 5.6 6.2 45 2.0 Good None 6.3 7.3 46 0.6 Good None 5.1 5.5 47 0.8 Good None 6.0 7.8 48 1.3 Good None 8.0 7.9 49 0.2 Good None 0.7 1.2 Com. 50 0.3 Bad Exist — — Example 51 0   Bad Exist — — 52 2.7 Bad — — — 53 1.2 Good None 1.5 3.2 54 1.5 Good None 1.1 2.0 55 1.2 Good None 1.2 3.0

In Examples in which fluxless laser brazing was carried out within the range of the present invention indicated by No. 36 through No. 48 in Table 7, humping and pits were not generated, and good bead appearances were obtained. Moreover, the bonding strength was 4 kN or more, and thus the bonding strength sufficient for an automobile body was obtained.

In Comparative Example No. 49 in which an Al concentration of the coating layer was smaller than the range of the present invention, the bead width W was smaller, i.e., 0.7 mm, and the bonding strength was insufficient, i.e., 1.2 kN.

In Comparative Example No. 50 in which the coating weight exceeded the range of the present invention and in Comparative Example No. 51 in which the distance d between the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet and the brazing filler metal was 0 mm (i.e., a state in which the brazing filler metal is making contact with the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet), humping and pits were generated due to influence of Zn vapor, and therefore the bead appearance was notably deteriorated, and blowholes were generated. In Comparative Examples No. 50 and No. 51, the bead appearance was notably deteriorated, and therefore the tensile test was not carried out.

In Comparative Example No. 52 in which the distance d between the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet and the brazing filler metal exceeded the range of the present invention, only the brazing filler metal was melted, and the Al alloy was not melted.

Therefore, the X-ray radiography and the tensile test were not carried out.

In Comparative Examples No. 53 through No. 55, the bead width W was smaller than the range of the present invention, and the bonding strength was insufficient, i.e., 3.2 kN or less.

EXAMPLE 2-2

Fluxless laser brazing was carried out with use of a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet and each of Al alloys of 1000-series, 3000-series, 5000-series, 6000-series, and 7000-series (see Table 3).

Specifically, a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet having a sheet thickness of 1.2 mm, a width of 200 mm, and a length of 100 mm, and an Al alloy member of each series having a sheet thickness of 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm, a width of 200 mm, and a length of 100 mm were prepared. Then, fluxless laser brazing was carried out with respect to the Al alloy member that was stacked on the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet with a positional displacement of 50 mm in a length direction, and thus a lap joint sample was prepared. Fluxless laser brazing conditions were similar to those in Table 5 above.

Table 8 shows the results. Moreover, as the fluxless brazing filler material, brazing filler metals having compositions shown in Table 8 were used.

TABLE 8 Coating Brazing filler Sheet Coating layer weight per metal composition thickness composition (% by mass) surface (% by mass) Type of (mm) of Al No. Al Mg Ti B Si Fe (g/m²) Si Mn Mg Al Al alloy alloy 56 5.1 2.9 0.034 0.019 0.056 0.02 90 4.7 0.9 3.9 Bal. 1000- 1.0 57 series 2.0 58 3.0 59 3000- 1.0 60 series 2.0 61 3.0 62 5000- 1.0 63 series 2.0 64 3.0 65 6000- 1.0 66 series 2.0 67 3.0 68 7000- 1.0 69 series 2.0 70 3.0 Distance d (mm) between brazing Tensile filler metal and hot Bead test dip Zn-based alloy Bead width result No. coated steel sheet appearance Blowhole W (mm) (kN) Class 56 0.3 Good None 1.6 3.6 Example 57 1.0 Good None 4.0 4.0 58 3.0 Good None 9.2 8.8 59 1.0 Good None 2.5 4.0 60 1.5 Good None 7.8 7.9 61 0.3 Good None 11.6 9.3 62 0.5 Good None 2.2 4.4 63 1.9 Good None 6.5 7.4 64 1.6 Good None 10.7 9.9 65 0.2 Good None 1.5 3.2 66 2.0 Good None 8.3 7.3 67 3.0 Good None 9.3 8.1 68 0.6 Good None 2.4 4.2 69 1.4 Good None 4.0 5.4 70 1.5 Good None 11.5 8.9

In Examples in which fluxless laser brazing was carried out within the range of the present invention indicated by No. 56 through No. 70 in Table 8, humping and pits were not generated, and good bead appearances were obtained. Moreover, the bonding strength corresponded to the type and the sheet thickness of each of the Al alloys, and thus the bonding strength sufficient for an automobile body was obtained.

Embodiment 3

The following description will discuss another embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 5. Note that configurations which are not described in Embodiment 3 are similar to those described in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. For convenience of explanation, identical reference numerals are given to constituent members having functions identical with those of the constituent members described in the foregoing embodiments, and descriptions of such constituent members are not repeated here.

In Embodiments 1 and 2 above, the brazing filler metal 7 is arranged along the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3, and the brazing filler metal 7 in that state is irradiated with the laser beam 8. Meanwhile, Embodiment 3 is different from Embodiments 1 and 2 in that an end of the brazing filler metal abuts on the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3 and brazing is carried out by irradiation with the laser beam 8 while sequentially supplying the brazing filler metal 7.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a laser brazing method in accordance with Embodiment 3. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in Embodiment 3, an end of a brazing filler metal 17 abuts on the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3, and the end part of the brazing filler metal 17 is irradiated with a laser beam 8. A material of the brazing filler metal 17 can be similar to that of the brazing filler metal 7 described in Embodiments 1 and 2 above. Moreover, a beam diameter of the laser beam 8 can be similar to that described in Embodiment 1, and is preferably greater than a beam diameter in typical laser welding.

In the laser brazing method of Embodiment 3 also, the distance d (mm) satisfies Formula (1) below.

0.2≤d≤t   (1)

where

t: sheet thickness (mm) of Al alloy.

Specifically, the distance d is a shortest distance between an outer edge of the end of the brazing filler metal 17 and the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1. The brazing filler metal 17 is consumed as a brazed part 9 is formed to braze the Al alloy 3 to the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1, and therefore the brazing filler metal 17 is sequentially supplied toward the Al alloy 3.

Moreover, a position (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “abutting position”) at which the brazing filler metal 17 abuts on the end surface 6 of the Al alloy 3 and the irradiation position with the laser beam 8 move while the brazed part 9 is formed as brazing proceeds. In accordance with a brazing rate, a moving speed of the abutting position and a supplying speed of the brazing filler metal 17 are adjusted. The brazed part 9 can also be expressed as bead 4 (see FIG. 1).

From this, it is possible to form the brazed part 9 while supplying the brazing filler metal 17 without arranging and holding the brazing filler metal 17 in advance. This improves a degree of freedom of workspace, and thus preparation before brazing becomes relatively easier. As a result, it is possible to shorten a working time. Further, it is possible to adjust an amount of the brazing filler metal 17 that is used to form the brazed part 9. That is, a volume of the brazed part 9 can be increased by lowering the moving speed of the abutting position or by increasing the supplying speed of the brazing filler metal 17. From this, it is possible to enhance bonding strength between the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet 1 and the Al alloy 3.

Aspects of the present invention can also be expressed as follows:

As above described, the laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is a method for laser brazing a bonding target sheet that is stacked on a sheet surface of a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet, a coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet containing 1.0% by mass to 22.0% by mass of Al, and the bonding target sheet being an Al sheet or an Al alloy sheet, the method including: a brazing step of forming a brazed part on the sheet surface for joining the bonding target sheet and the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet together.

According to the laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, in the brazing step, the brazed part is preferably formed while arranging the brazing filler metal such that the brazing filler metal abuts on an end surface of the bonding target sheet and a distance d (mm) between the brazing filler metal and the sheet surface satisfies Formula (1) below:

0.2≤d≤t   (1)

where

t: sheet thickness (mm) of the bonding target sheet.

According to the laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, in the brazing step, the brazed part is preferably formed such that, in a cross section of the brazed part taken along a plane orthogonal to a direction in which the brazed part extends, a bead width of the brazed part on the sheet surface satisfies Formula (2) below:

t≤W≤4t   (2)

where

W: bead width (mm) of the brazed part

t: sheet thickness (mm) of the bonding target sheet.

According to the laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, in the brazing step, fluxless laser brazing can be carried out with use of a fluxless brazing filler metal as a brazing filler metal.

According to the laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, it is possible that the brazing filler metal is composed of Al or has a composition that contains Al and one or more selected from the group consisting of Si: 0.2% by mass to 15.0% by mass, Mg: 0.3% by mass to 7.0% by mass, and Mn: 0.03% by mass to 2.0% by mass.

According to the laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet can further contain Mg in an amount of 0.05% by mass to 10.0% by mass.

According to the laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet preferably further contains one or two or more selected from the group consisting of Ti: 0.002% by mass to 0.1% by mass, B: 0.001% by mass to 0.05% by mass, Si: 0% by mass to 2.0% by mass, and Fe: 0% by mass to 2.5% by mass.

According to the laser brazing method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a coating weight on the sheet surface of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet is preferably 15 g/m² to 250 g/m².

The method for producing a lap joint member in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is a method for producing the lap joint member by brazing a bonding target sheet to a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet with the foregoing laser brazing method.

The lap joint member in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is a lap joint member, in which: a laser brazed part is formed by stacking and laser brazing a bonding target sheet onto a sheet surface of a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet; a coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet contains 1.0% by mass to 22.0% by mass of Al; the bonding target sheet is an Al sheet or an Al alloy sheet; and the laser brazed part is formed such that, in a cross section of the laser brazed part taken along a plane orthogonal to a direction in which the laser brazed part extends, a bead width of the laser brazed part on the sheet surface satisfies Formula (2) below:

t≤W≤4t   (2)

where

W: bead width (mm) of the laser brazed part

t: sheet thickness (mm) of the bonding target sheet.

According to the lap joint member in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet preferably further contains Mg in an amount of 0.05% by mass to 10.0% by mass.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but can be altered by a skilled person in the art within the scope of the claims. The present invention also encompasses, in its technical scope, any embodiment derived by combining technical means disclosed in differing embodiments. Further, it is possible to form a new technical feature by combining the technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1: Hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet

2: Zn-based coating layer (coating layer)

3: Al alloy

4: Bead (brazed part)

5: Fe-Al-based intermetallic compound phase

6: End surface of Al alloy

7, 17: Brazing filler metal

8: Laser beam

9: Brazed part 

1. A method for laser brazing a bonding target sheet that is stacked on a sheet surface of a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet, a coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet containing 1.0% by mass to 22.0% by mass of Al, and the bonding target sheet being an Al sheet or an Al alloy sheet, the method comprising: a brazing step of forming a brazed part on the sheet surface for joining the bonding target sheet and the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet together.
 2. The laser brazing method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: in the brazing step, the brazed part is formed while arranging the brazing filler metal such that the brazing filler metal abuts on an end surface of the bonding target sheet and a distance d (mm) between the brazing filler metal and the sheet surface satisfies Formula (1) below: 0.2≤d≤t   (1) where t: sheet thickness (mm) of the bonding target sheet.
 3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: in the brazing step, the brazed part is formed such that, in a cross section of the brazed part taken along a plane orthogonal to a direction in which the brazed part extends, a bead width of the brazed part on the sheet surface satisfies Formula (2) below: t≤W≤4t   (2) where W: bead width (mm) of the brazed part t: sheet thickness (mm) of the bonding target sheet.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: in the brazing step, fluxless laser brazing is carried out with use of a fluxless brazing filler metal as a brazing filler metal.
 5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein: the brazing filler metal is composed of Al; or the brazing filler metal has a composition that contains Al and one or more selected from the group consisting of Si: 0.2% by mass to 15.0% by mass, Mg: 0.3% by mass to 7.0% by mass, and Mn: 0.03% by mass to 2.0% by mass.
 6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet further contains Mg in an amount of 0.05% by mass to 10.0% by mass.
 7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the coating layer of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet further contains one or two or more selected from the group consisting of Ti: 0.002% by mass to 0.1% by mass, B: 0.001% by mass to 0.05% by mass, Si: 0% by mass to 2.0% by mass, and Fe: 0% by mass to 2.5% by mass.
 8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a coating weight on the sheet surface of the hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet is 15 g/m² to 250 g/m².
 9. A method for producing a lap joint member by brazing a bonding target sheet to a hot dip Zn-based alloy coated steel sheet with a method recited in claim
 1. 